South Korean Cultural Ecology - 1905 to 1990 - Part 1 "The Old Days" - Page 5

E. Family Housing

A common prototype of the Korean house was a rectangular, L- or U-shaped single story structure built mainly with wood and clay. The roof was low and was thatched largely with straw. The size varied according to the size of the family and the wealth of the family. The house was built to protect the inhabitants from the cold weather. The ceilings were somewhat low and the rooms were not large. There were few doors or windows; the greater part consisted of just walls. Some of the rooms had "ondol" floors that were heated via under the floor flues. An exterior fireplace was at one end of the house with flues under the floor to a chimney at the other end of the house. The floor sometimes consisted of large rocks arranged so there was hollow space between the rocks for heat to travel. The floor was then covered with clay. Once it was warm, it would stay warm for a long time. Koreans still prefer to sit and sleep on cushions and thick mats on the floor. A block of wood, curved on the top would serve as a pillow.

A traditional home would have little furniture and seating was on the floor. Bedrooms and dining rooms were not specially provided so usually a living room also served as a bedroom and living room. The room used by the housewife was a place for family gatherings and the center for household management. That room was equipped with wardrobes, bedding and other paraphernalia. Exclusively the master of the house used the front quarters, if he was an educated man it would be equipped with a desk, shelves, books and a few cushions. Normally the master would retire to the housewife's room for the night.